Playtests
May 1, 2008
Tecnifibre Xr3
Xr3 is a multifilament string from Tecnifibre that is made with a core of three composite monofilaments surrounded by six bundles of Elastyl micro fibers, imbued with Polyurethane 400. According to Tecnifibre, the monofilament cores provide a firmer feel, more...
April 1, 2008
Luxilon Alu Power Fluoro 123
Alu Power Fluoro is the latest monofilament string from Luxilon. It is based on the original Alu Power 125, which took the pro tour by storm before becoming a favorite with other competitive players. It is created with a...
March 1, 2008
Wilson (K) Gut 16
Wilson (K) Gut is a new multifilament nylon-based string. (K) Gut is made up of nylon microfibers augmented by Fluorofiber (individual fibers of 100% fluorocarbon), which Wilson claims give (K) Gut ultimate performance and extra control. The nylon and...
February 1, 2008
Wilson Champions Choice
Wilson Champions Choice is a hybrid of two premium strings: Luxilon Alu Power 125 Rough and Wilson Natural. Luxilon Alu Power is a poly-ether-ether material with a textured surface for added spin and control. Wilson Natural is a high...
January 1, 2008
Unique Big Hitter Blue 17
Unique Big Hitter Blue is a monofilament string made with polyether. According to Unique, the use of polyether in this advanced German string formulation allows for a much softer string that absorbs shock and increases comfort, while retaining the incredible...
November 1, 2007
Isospeed Professional Classic 17
Isospeed Professional Classic is a coreless multifilament, where the filaments are Isospeed's trademarked polyolefin ribbons. Isospeed tells us that Professional Classic is designed for players looking for gut-like performance in terms of speed and arm protection. Professional Classic is...
September 1, 2007
HEAD C3 Rocket 16
C3 Rocket is a new multifilament control-oriented string from Head. As with several other Head strings, C3 Rocket uses ribbon-shaped strands. These ribbons surround a solid core, but are not bonded to the core. The "C3" stands for Crystal...
August 1, 2007
Gamma Asterisk 16
Asterisk is a nylon string with a center core made up of six large wedge-shaped filaments that are arranged in the shape of an asterisk (hence the name). These fibers are encased in a high tenacity polyamide matrix that...
July 1, 2007
HEAD Sonic Pro 17
Sonic Pro is a new polyester string from Head, the first polyester string it has added to its Control line-up. According to Head, Sonic Pro is a uniquely processed co-polymer polyester with extra combinations of resins and fibers. Head...
June 1, 2007
Isospeed Professional 17
Isospeed Professional is a multifilament string composed of Power Ribbons and polyamid filaments. According to Isospeed, the polyamid filaments are pre-stretched during manufacturing, which helps with tension maintenance. The Power Ribbons are made of a unique polyolefin, which Isospeed...
May 1, 2007
Wilson Super Spin 16
Wilson Super Spin is a hexagonally shaped nylon string with a core consisting of two simultaneously extruded layers. Around the core are wrapped 20 nylon fibers. The hexagonal shape is achieved when the final outer layer is added. According...
April 1, 2007
Pro Supex Big Ace
Big Ace is a monofilament co-polymer, which according to Pro Supex is made of high-grade polymers and special monomix-reinforced chemical additives. Pro Supex claims that Big Ace offers power, spin potential, control, comfort, durability, resistance to movement, and tension...
March 1, 2007
Wilson Ultimate Duo
Ultimate Duo is a hybrid string from Wilson comprised of Luxilon Alu Power and Wilson NXT Tour. This combination builds on Wilson's dominant position in premium-priced synthetic multifilaments (more than 70% of the market) with Luxilon's market-leading position in...
February 1, 2007
Klip Armour Pro 17
Klip Armour Pro is a natural gut string with an unusual feature: The gut is completely coated with a hard shell. Klip says that Armour Pro takes natural gut to the next level, increasing durability and control, while reducing...
January 1, 2007
Prince Synthetic Gut Multifilament 16
Synthetic Gut Multifilament is Prince's latest offering for the player looking for a playable multifilament string with a crisp feel and good durability, at a midrange price. Synthetic Gut Multifilament is available in 16 and 17 in natural only....
November 1, 2006
Klip Detonator 16
Klip Detonator is another of Klip's many Pro Doubles hybrid string offerings, this one combining Klip's K-Boom poly with its Excellerator nylon. Klip recommends using K-Boom in the mains, and the Excellerator in the crosses. We've published playtest reports...
September 1, 2006
Tecnifibre Pro RedCode 16
Tecnifibre Pro RedCode is a new premium copolymer polyester monofilament string that features an exclusive abrasion-resistant coating and chemical additives that offer a higher level of tension resiliency compared to other polyester strings. Additionally, Tecnifibre's static and dynamic test...
August 1, 2006
Pacific X-Force 18
Pacific X-Force is a "poly-like" monofilament string offering increased power and dampened feel. According to Pacific, although the materials of this string are "in the polyester family," X-Force is not necessarily a polyester string. X-Force is manufactured using a...
July 1, 2006
Head FXP Power 16
FXP Power is a new multifilament designed to build on the success of Head's recently introduced FXP string technology. In the past two quarters (Q4 2005 and Q1 2006), FXP has been number 15 on the best-sellers list in...
June 1, 2006
Wilson Natural 16
Wilson Natural is a 100 percent natural gut string. According to Wilson, it contains the highest quality natural gut fiber with moisture-resistant long-life coating. Wilson tells us that it is the choice of top players such as Roger Federer,...
April 1, 2006
Klip Venom 17
Klip Venom is a high-end multifilament made of DuPont High Modulus PA66 nylon, which is impregnated with polyurethane resin and then twisted with high tenacity monofilament wraps and two polyester metallic yarns. Klip calls these two visible black twists...
March 1, 2006
Gamma Zo Pro 16L
Gamma Zo Pro is a hybrid set made up of Zo Power for the mains and Live Wire Professional for the crosses. According to Gamma, Zo Power is an ultra playable 16L-gauge polymer alloy featuring Gamma's TNT2® Technology, for...
February 1, 2006
Tecnifibre Multifeel 16
Tecnifibre Multifeel 16 is a solid-core single-wrap multifilament string, which according to Tecnifibre offers durability, dynamic performance, and comfort at an excellent price-to-value ratio. The durability comes from the central monofilament, which comprises 20 percent of the total volume...
January 1, 2006
Klip Lightning 16
Lightning is one of Klip's "Pro Doubles" (hybrid) strings, combining its Legend natural gut with its Excellerator nylon. Klip's Legend natural gut is 100 percent Australian top grade gut. Excellerator is a high-end multifilament, with 30 percent more fiber...
November 1, 2005
Gamma Zo Sweet 17
Gamma Zo Sweet is a 17-gauge hybrid that combines Gamma's Zo Power coated monofilament polyester in the mains and its TNT² nylon in the crosses. According to Gamma, Zo Power is an ultra-playable polymer alloy, manufactured as a co-extrusion...
September 1, 2005
Gosen Polylon SP
Polylon SP (the SP stands for "supreme playability") builds on the successes of Gosen's Polylon and Polylon Comfort strings. (See our playtest report of Polylon Comfort in the June 2003 issue of Racquet Tech magazine.) Unlike the other two...
August 1, 2005
Head FXP 16
Brand & Model FXP is a new multifilament designed to build on Head's well-established FiberGEL technology. (See the playtest report for Head FiberGel in the September 2002 issue of Racquet Tech magazine, and the playtest report for Head FiberGel Power...
July 1, 2005
Unique Tourna Hybrid Poly Gut 16
Tourna Hybrid Poly Gut is a new hybrid string from Unique that combines Unique's Tourna Gut natural gut with its Tourna Poly Big Hitter polyester for the best of both worlds: the power of gut with the durability of...
June 1, 2005
Klip Screamer 17
Klip Screamer is one of Klip's "Pro Doubles" (hybrid) strings, this one combining natural gut with Klip Scorcher (see the playtest report for Klip Scorcher in the September 2003 issue of Racquet Tech). Klip Scorcher is a solid-core multiwrap...
May 1, 2005
Wilson Reaction 16
Reaction is a new multifilament string that Wilson is aiming at competition players and big hitters who are looking for a firm, crisp string that offers control and good tension maintenance. Reaction is constructed from pre-stretched thermoset microfibers with...
April 1, 2005
Volkl V-Rex
V-Rex is a new monofilament polyester string from Völkl. According to Völkl, V-Rex is a unique co-polyester developed specifically for today's serious aggressive player who demands precise control and reliable durability. Due to a patented manufacturing process, Völkl says...
March 1, 2005
Toalson Cyber Blade Tour Thermaxe 123
Toalson Cyber Blade Tour Thermaxe 123 is a new monofilament developed for tournament players based on the opinions and experience of Toalson contract players worldwide. According to Toalson, Thermaxe 123 affords an excellent combination of elasticity and durability by...
February 1, 2005
Gamma Revelation 16
Gamma Revelation is a new multi-core, multi-wrap string formulated for players who want to use a multifilament string and are looking for the greater control that comes from a stiffer string. Revelation is available in 16 and 17 gauge...
January 1, 2005
Prince Lightning Power
Lightning Power is Prince's new solid-core/multi-wrap string in its all-around performance category. Prince orients strings in this category toward players who are looking for improved durability, comfort, feel, and spin. Prince feels that Lightning Power is ideal for players...
November 1, 2004
Klip X-Plosive
Klip X-Plosive is one of Klip's "Pro Doubles" -- or hybrid -- strings that contain natural gut. In X-Plosive, the other string is Klip's new K-Boom, a co-polymer polyester. Klip claims the fast response time of K-Boom makes it...
October 1, 2004
Head MegaBlast
Head MegaBlast is a new high-end racquetball string that comes standard in all Liquidmetal and MegaBlast racquetball racquets. It is the choice of five-time Pro World Champion Sudsy Monchik as well as dozens of top touring professionals. MegaBlast features...
September 1, 2004
Volkl F.I.R.E. Strings
Volkl's F.I.R.E. (Fully Integrated Racquet Engineering) Strings is a hybrid comprised of a nylon multifilament and polyester monofilament. According to Volkl, this combination delivers the power and feel of a multifilament with the durability and control of the polyester....
August 1, 2004
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 17
X-One Biphase is a multifilament string constructed using a new variation of the tried-and-true Tecnifibre process. According to Tecnifibre, X-One Biphase combines H2C (High Heat Capacity) microfilaments for power and feel, with NRG microfilaments for dynamic response. These microfilaments...
July 1, 2004
Wilson NXT OS 16L
Wilson NXT OS is the newest edition to the NXT family of strings. Wilson tells us it specifically engineered this multifilament, polyurethane-impregnated string for oversize and super oversized rackets. Wilson's goal was for NXT OS to retain tension longer...
May 1, 2004
Gamma Zo Plus 16L
BRAND & MODEL Gamma Zo Plus is a co-extrusion fiber, which means it is a monofilament comprised of two materials, one in the center and a second that encases or coats the center filament. In Zo Plus, the center is...
Unique Tourna Poly Big Hitter
BRAND & MODEL Unique Tourna Poly Big Hitter is a monofilament "poly" string of the type that is becoming increasingly popular both on the pro circuit and with hard-hitting juniors and even club players. Unique tells us that their...
April 1, 2004
HEAD RIP PerfectPower
BRAND & MODEL RIP PerfectPower is the newest string in HEAD's line-up, designed to be their top string for players seeking more power. HEAD's other power strings include IntelliString, RIP Ti.Fiber, and FiberGEL Power. To give players more power, HEAD...
Klip Blast
BRAND & MODEL Blast 17 is one of Klip's "Pro Doubles" line of hybrid strings. Blast combines their Hardcore polyester (for the mains) with a soft compound synthetic gut (for the crosses), which according to Klip deliver a unique combination...
March 1, 2004
Prince Premier with Softflex 16
Brand & model Prince's new Premier is a multifilament string designed for ultimate gut-like playability. To achieve this goal, Prince wraps its micro-filament core with filament outer wraps made of Softflex, which it tells us is the most elastic material...
Unique Tournafiber Irradiated 16
Brand & model Unique's Tournafiber Irradiated is a new and improved version of their multifilament, multi-wrap string, the original of which we playtested in early 2002 (see Racquet Tech magazine, May 2002, for the playtest report). Unique says that the...
February 1, 2004
Wilson Stamina 17
BRAND & MODEL Wilson introduced Stamina in 2002 as a durability-oriented synthetic gut in 16 gauge only. Since then, Stamina has become so popular that Wilson now offers it in two additional gauges — 17 and 18 — and...
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